Africanize

verb

Af·​ri·​can·​ize ˈa-fri-kə-ˌnīz How to pronounce Africanize (audio)
 also  ˈä-
Africanized; Africanizing

transitive verb

1
: to cause to acquire a distinctively African trait
2
: to bring under the influence, control, or cultural or civil supremacy of Africans and especially Black Africans
Africanization noun

Examples of Africanize in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Nevertheless, a pivotal step in its rise occurred at Keur Moussa, whose founders’ quest to Africanize their liturgy revolutionized the instrument. Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Africanize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

african entry 2 + -ize

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Africanize was in 1816

Dictionary Entries Near Africanize

Cite this Entry

“Africanize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Africanize. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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